Food and Agriculture
Kogi L-PRES Trains 30 Persons on Artificial Insemination
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L-PRES), has launched a one-week intensive training on Artificial Insemination (AI) for 30 participants, comprising animal scientists, veterinarians, and lead farmers from across the state. js"> googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
The training is being hosted at the National Animal Production Research Institute (NAPRI) in Zaria, Kaduna State.
Speaking on the exercise in Lokoja, Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, coordinator of the training, described Artificial insemination in livestock as a technique for controlled breeding and genetic improvement.
He emphasized that the training is crucial for achieving the project’s goal of increasing productivity, commercialization, and resilience of the livestock value chain in Kogi State.
Otaru commended Gov. Ahmed Ododo for his full support for the improvement of livestock productivity value chain in the state.
“Professionals in Livestock field, including Veterinarians, Animal scientists, and farmers, are selected for further training on Artificial Insemination by trainers from NSPRI Zaria.
“The training is crucial for project goals in Kogi State and supported by Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration.
“The goal is to improve livestock productivity for food security and farmers’ livelihoods in Kogi State. Participants will train farmers clusters and stakeholders in livestock value chain across the state.
“Full commitment to training by the participants is essential to justify government’s investment in the project.
“The training is expected to equip the participants with the necessary skills to improve livestock productivity and contribute to the growth of the livestock industry in Kogi State,” Otaru said.
The Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, commended the governor for his commitment to improving livestock development in the state.
Hadi noted that the training is a testament to the government’s efforts to support farmers and improve livestock productivity.
The Director of Veterinary Services, Ministry of Livestock Development, Dr Shaibu Husseini Egwu, stressed the importance of AI in animal improvement, highlighting its potential to increase milk and meat production.
The Director of Animal Husbandry, Mr. Isah Anate Jimoh, emphasized the need to adopt new techniques to improve mass livestock productivity and meet the growing demand for livestock products.
Mr Adeniyi Omoniyi Oloninisi, Animal Husbandry Officer, KOGI L-PRES project, noted that AI will increase livestock productivity, reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases, and improve the genetic quality of animals.
Dr. Tolu Omotugba, Chairman, Nigerian Veterinary Medical Association (NVMA), Kogi chapter, commended the state government for the initiative, saying it will empower veterinarians to carry out AI procedures and improve livestock production in the state.
The Onu of Ochaja, HRH Musa Ibrahim, a livestock farmer, commended the L-PRES project for its impact on livestock farmers in the state through capacity building trainings.
He expressed gratitude to the governor for his support to the project and assured that the participants would take advantage of the training to broaden their knowledge on AI.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi Vows To Invest More In Cashew Business For Job Creation, Others
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
Following the current high rate of unemployment bedeviling Nigeria, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi state has given an assurance that his administration will invest more in Cashew Business as alternative source of survival for the people. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js">
Ododo maintained that apart from job creation, Cashew Value Chain has the potential of boosting the state’s socio-economic and industrial development.
Governor Ododo gave the assurance while flagging off the 2026 Cashew Season and Unveiling of Kogi Cashew Procurement and Trade Policy, 2025, as well as Distribution of five million Hybrid Cashew Seedlings to Farmers, held at the Government House, Lokoja on Friday.
The launch was organized by the Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency (KOSCEPA) in collaboration with Agro Trading Consult Limited (ATCL) to commence the activities of this year’s Cashew farming in the state.
According to Governor Ododo “My administration is encouraging investment in Cashew Production in large scale commercial as it remains the most valuable cash crops and a major player in wealth creation, socio-economic and industrial development of a given society.
“Our focus as a government should shift from emphasis in politics to large scale investment in cash crops especially Cashew Production, Packaging, Processing, Branding and Structured Grades”
He noted that Cashew could be used as food, medicine, industrial purpose, agriculture, and cosmetic amongst others hence the need for heavy investment in the sector in view of its enormous value to human existence.
The Governor warned against stakeholders who embark on unregistered and illegal middle men in Cashew Business and other mining activities in the state to desist forth with or be ready to face prosecution.
“Stakeholders should endeavor to follow due process by getting themselves registered as any person found violating this government policy will be made to face the full wrath of the law”
The Director-general of Kogi State Commodity Exchange, Export Promotion and Market Development Agency, KOSCEPA, Victor Omofaiye in his welcome address, outlined the benefits of cashew to include; promotion of local cashew processing industries for job creation, enhancement of quality control and maintenance of Kogi’s reputation as a top cashew processing state, establishment of a structural and traceable cashew marketing system, increasing state revenue through organized trade and export levies and showcasing Kogi state cashew to the world.
Omofaiye also enumerated measures put in place to ensure Cashew Nuts quality control and regulation as follows:
*No foreigner is allowed to purchase we raw Cashew Nuts
*All buyers and exporters of Cashew nuts within Kogi state shall register with Agro trading Consult Limited in order to qualify for participation in the 2026 Cashew season
*The use of the Kogi state customized jute bag is sacrosanct, as without it no Cashew nut is permitted to leave the state
*All licensed buying agents must grant access for grading and inspection of all Cashew within the Agro Trading Consult Limited accredited warehouses for quality certification purposes
*Fumigation of all ATCL accredited warehouses for storing cashew is mandatory
*Payment of all regulatory levies is sacrosanct
*Shaking of cashew trees to reduce early harvest is strictly prohibited
Kogi State’s Commissioner of Commerce and Industry, Muktar Shaibu, in his remarks, praised Governor Ododo policy on poverty reduction in the state through agriculture particularly in Cashew Production.
According to the commissioner “Kogi people will remain supportive of this laudable policy which has brought relief and smiles on their faces”
The Ata’Igala and President of Kogi State Council of Traditional Rulers, His Royal Majesty Matthew Opaluwa, who also spoke at the event, hailed Governor Ododo’s efforts to increase Farmers wealth through investment in agriculture.
His Royal Majesty who was represented by Onu Itobe, Chief Salifu Ocholi, declared the traditional Rulers solidarity and loyalty to Governor Ododo’s administration in view of his numerous achievements in uplifting the living standard of the people within the short period in office.
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Food and Agriculture
AFAN President Charges Members On Improving Capacity Of Farmers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The National President of All Farmers Association Of Nigeria (AFAN), Dr Farouq Rabiu Mudi, has charged the state chapter of AFAN to double their efforts to improve the capacity of all farmers in the state. adsbygoogle || []).push({}); js">
Dr Rabiu made the call at the inauguration of the state chapter of AFAN led by a retired Deputy Clerk of the National Assembly, Senate, Alhaji Ahmad Abdullahi.
He said farmers in Kogi State had all the potentials to produce for the country and for export stressing that the state has enough arable land and favorable climate.
The President commended that the new chairman for his proven track record which he has exhibited in the inauguration of the state executive in a record time adding that if it is only those with capacity that can do such.
He admonished him not to relax but do everything possible to ensure that the all the farmers in the state no matter where the residue are are carried along.
Author Profile
- Prince Abdulrahman Obaje is a Media, Information and Computer Technology Consultant. A quintessential Journalist, online marketer, social media strategist, Mathematician and Computer Scientist is based in Abuja, Nigeria. He is the Founder and the Publisher of The Informavores!. You can reach me on +234 805 939 5252 or send i-witness report directly to me on news@informavores.com.ng.
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Food and Agriculture
Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers
From Joseph Amedu, Lokoja
The Kogi State Livestock Productivity and Resilience Support Project (Kogi L‑PRES), has commenced a capacity‑building workshop to mainstream Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and Participatory Learning Action (PLA) methodologies into livestock extension training for Livestock Development in Kogi State
The event, held across the three Senatorial Districts of Kogi State, gathered over 300 Livestock Extension Agents, Lead Livestock Farmers, Key Value Chain Actors and community service providers, among others.
While declaring the workshop open in Lokoja, the Commissioner for Livestock Development, Dr Olufemi Bolarin, expressed pleasure at the gathering, noting that livestock is vital to Kogi’s economy, food security, and poverty reduction.
He highlighted challenges such as limited extension access, inadequate technical skills, and low technology adoption, and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to empowering its workforce.
Represented by the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dr Abdulsalam Hadi, the Commissioner urged participants to actively share experiences and learn for the benefit of farmers.
Earlier in his welcome address, the State Project Coordinator of Kogi L‑PRES Trains 300 Livestock Extension Workers, Farmers, Community Service Providers Mr Abdulkabir Onoruoyiza Otaru, said the training kicked off on Thursday in Lokoja for participants from Kogi West, continued on Friday in Anyigba for the East, and today, Saturday, in Okene for Kogi Central participants.
He said the workshop aims to strengthen participants’ ability to integrate PRA/PLA techniques into their extension / Advisory service delivery at Livestock Value Chain Clusters across the 21 LGAs of Kogi State.
According to him, it will improve the relevance and effectiveness of training programmes, address the specific needs of rural livestock farmers, and accelerate adoption of innovative technologies and Good Animal Husbandry Practices.
“The programme is structured as a “Train‑of‑Trainers” (ToT) initiative targeting 300 participants, including livestock extension agents, lead livestock farmers, and key value‑chain actors.
Mr Otaru noted that while Kogi L‑PRES initially recorded over 54,000 livestock farmers at baseline, a re‑validation exercise identified 32,000 genuine livestock farmers, declaring that the era of portfolio farmers without farms is gone in Kogi State.
He emphasised that the trained livestock extension agents and lead livestock farmers will cascade the training to at least 32,000 farmers across 64 Livestock Value Chain Clusters in the 21 local government areas of the state.
He noted that competent resource persons from the National Agricultural Extension Research and Liaison Services (NAERLS), ABU‑Zaria, will facilitate the workshops, supported by a National Extension Service Specialist from L‑PRES National Coordination Office, Abuja.
Mr Otaru thank and appreciate the Governor, His Excellency, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo for his unwavering support toward empowering Kogi livestock farmers, enhancing livestock productivity, and ensuring the achievement of food security in the state.
He urged participants to engage actively, noting that the workshop should be a “contributory and participatory program” that will drive sustainable livestock management and long‑term community resilience, especially in underserved areas.
The Managing Director, Kogi State Agricultural Development Project (ADP), Dr Bello George Ogirima, described the training workshop as a crucial step toward building the Livestock Extension Agents and Lead Livestock Farmers capacity and strengthening adaptive strategies for livestock production.
He emphasized that livestock extension agents are key to quality extension/advisory service delivery at the agribusiness clusters and urged full cooperation to complement project goals.
A Livestock Extension Agent, Mr Johnson Olusegun from Mopamuro LGA, commended Kogi L‑PRES for prioritizing continuous training and retraining of extension agents and farmers, stating the workshop would empower them to address challenges hindering livestock value chains.
The workshop featured presentations from resource persons on topics such as Participatory Needs Assessment (PNA), PRA/PLA in livestock extension, Participatory Planning and Prioritization, Participatory Technology Development and Testing, and Monitoring & Evaluation Methods, among others.
The workshop is expected to mark a significant step toward mainstreaming participatory approaches in Kogi’s livestock sector, laying a foundation for scalable and resilient farming practices across the state.
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